{"product_id":"society-in-contemporary-laos-in-depth-of-social-change","title":"Society in Contemporary Laos - In-depth of Social Change","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Society in Contemporary Laos the author Boike Rehbein offers a focused academic study for readers who want to understand how global capitalism reshaped Lao social life. The book's single biggest reason to read it is its clear attempt to connect Weberian questions about capitalism and ethos with on-the-ground descriptions of class formation, habitus and world-views in Laos, making it a useful resource for scholars and advanced students looking for a critical, theory-driven ethnographic account.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTheoretical focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rehbein directly engages Max Weber and Pierre Bourdieu, helping readers trace classical sociological questions into contemporary Lao society.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEmpirical description:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book provides a detailed description of social structures and class configurations that emerged as Laos encountered global capitalism.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHabitus and ethos analysis:\u003c\/strong\u003e It examines how precapitalist social patterns persist and transform into new habitus and forms of ethos, clarifying cultural continuities and shifts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMethodological development:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author develops a qualitative methodology to address gaps left by Weber and Bourdieu, useful for researchers adapting theory to fieldwork.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRegional relevance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Focused on Laos, the study situates local changes within broader Southeast Asian social transformations for comparative readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is aimed primarily at social scientists, graduate students and researchers interested in Southeast Asian studies, political economy and the sociology of development; it suits readers who want a theoretically informed ethnography rather than a general-audience overview. It is especially helpful for those studying class formation, social inequality and cultural change under market processes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReaders seeking a short primer or a policy handbook should look elsewhere, as the text emphasizes theoretical engagement and qualitative description over practical policy recommendations or introductory context for novices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnects classical sociological questions to contemporary Lao society in a coherent theoretical frame.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides rich descriptions of social structures and shifts in habitus that support comparative research.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffers a reflective methodological contribution on applying Weber and Bourdieu in fieldwork.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe dense theoretical focus and qualitative method may be challenging for readers without prior training in sociology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSociety in Contemporary Laos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoutledge Contemporary Southeast Asia Series\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBoike Rehbein\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScope\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSocial structures, habitus, ethos and class formation in Laos\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproach\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQualitative, theory-driven ethnographic study\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMain theoretical references\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMax Weber and Pierre Bourdieu\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSociety in Contemporary Laos is a substantive academic contribution that rewards readers who want to understand how capitalism and cultural change interact in a specific Southeast Asian context. Its value lies in the combination of empirical description and theoretical reflection, making it a strong choice for researchers and graduate students who need a focused, methodologically mindful account of social inequality and habitus in Laos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this book suitable for undergraduate readers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is most useful for advanced undergraduates with coursework in sociology or Asian studies; those new to the field may find the theoretical density challenging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book include policy recommendations?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, the emphasis is on theoretical analysis and qualitative description rather than practical policy guidance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat methods does the author use?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRehbein develops and applies a qualitative methodology to connect Weberian and Bourdieusian concepts with empirical observations in Laos.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Boike Rehbein","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48772031447259,"sku":"0415342198","price":190.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/61m0-bs1tTL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778705190","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/society-in-contemporary-laos-in-depth-of-social-change","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}